Almost half of Southeast Asian travel businesses see worse prospects in Q2 due to war in Iran
A recent survey has revealed that 48% of Southeast Asian travel businesses believe that the prospects for their business in Q2 2026 are worse than they had originally anticipated at the start of the year, due to the Iran War impact.
The report conducted by the ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA) an [...]
From Autobahn dreams to AI travel: Saad Saeed’s bet on escaping travel’s startup graveyard
Growing up in Pakistan, Saad Saeed dreamt of fast cars and soccer, and it was those two things that brought him to Berlin to study.
Germany’s Autobahn fascinated him. “It’s crazy,” he says. “Out of all the countries, the one with no speed limit has to be Germany – with all the rules.� [...]
APAC startup funding tightens as market matures
While travel demand in Asia Pacific (APAC) remains strong, early-stage startups may find it harder to secure funding.
According to an upcoming Phocuswright research report, “A Market Rewired: Ten Structural Shifts Redefining Asia Pacific Travel,” investors increasingly are prioritiz [...]
Middle East conflict could cost regional tourism $56 billion, but travel is resilient
The Bench, organisers of Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia, hosted a webinar on March 18 as part of its commitment to keeping the hospitality investment community informed during a period of regional uncertainty. David Goodger, Managing Director of Tourism Economics EMEA, laid out a data-driven [...]
WiT Phocuswright Middle East rescheduled to August 14, 2026
WiT and Phocuswright, part of the Northstar Travel Group, wish to announce that WiT Phocuswright Middle East has been rescheduled. The event, originally planned for May 1, 2026, will now take place on August 14, 2026.
This decision has been made in consideration of the ongoing conflict in the regio [...]
Co-sourcing cuts agent turnover. MakeMyTrip eyes India IPO. Japan’s new pre-screening. Sakura trends.
Specialized co-sourcing cuts travel agent turnover by 95%, says 24/7 TPD
Colombia-based 24/7 Travel Partner Desk (247 TPD), a co-sourcing firm operating exclusively in the travel sector, reports that its specialized model reduces agent turnover by 95.3% compared to the industry average, a finding d [...]
Eid staycations gain momentum in Saudi Arabia with rising hotel demand
Wego, the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has seen a surge in hotel searches across Saudi Arabia as residents increasingly explore Eid Al-Fitr getaways within the Kingdom.
As the holiday approaches, many travellers are exploring destinations tha [...]
Air travel demand will more than double by 2050
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its Long‑Term Demand Projections (LTDP) for air travel, showing that global air passenger demand is expected to more than double by 2050. Here are some key takeaways:
Under the mid‑range scenario, demand is forecast to reach 20.8 t [...]
Investing in community: How Airbnb brings soul to a stay in Jeju
“What if the smarter tourism investment is not in adding more stays, but in strengthening the soul of a place first?”
That was the thought that stayed with me after Airbnb’s Jeju forum, even if nobody on stage said it in exactly those words.
What they did say, across two linked panels, p [...]
HTS launches ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ for hotels
HTS (Hopper Technology Solutions)’ says its AI-powered fintech solution drives incremental revenue for hotel partners and delivers flexibility to travellers – already live at global scale.
HTS (Hopper Technology Solutions), a global travel technology platform, announced the launch of its Cancel [...]
